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Golden Spike Symbolized Completion of Transcontinental Railroad 150 Years Ago

by Howard Cohen on May 13 2019
This past Friday marked the 150th anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad, an epic project that spanned six years and 1,800 miles, with the Central Pacific Railroad working from west to east and the Union Pacific Railroad from east to west. When the two railroad lines met at Promontory Summit, Utah, on May... The post Golden Spike Symbolized Completion of Transcontinental Railroad 150 Years Ago appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Music Friday: Insecure Charley Pride Asks His Wife, ‘Does My Ring Hurt Your Finger?’

by Howard Cohen on May 10 2019
Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you throwback songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the lyrics or title. Today, music legend Charley Pride portrays a troubled and insecure husband in his amusing 1967 country hit, “Does My Ring Hurt Your Finger?” Pride’s character tells his wife that he feels so proud when... The post Music Friday: Insecure Charley Pride Asks His Wife, ‘Does My Ring Hurt Your Finger?’ appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Tokyo 2020 Organizers Collect Enough Recycled Metal to Create 5,000 Olympic Medals

by Howard Cohen on May 09 2019
It took less than two years for the organizers of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo to collect enough recycled precious metals to create 5,000 gold, silver and bronze Olympic and Paralympic medals. Among the 47,488 tons of donated material were five million cell phones. Launched in April of 2017, the Tokyo 2020 Medal Project... The post Tokyo 2020 Organizers Collect Enough Recycled Metal to Create 5,000 Olympic Medals appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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75.61-Carat Emerald Once Worn by Catherine the Great Is Up for Sale at Christie’s

by Howard Cohen on May 07 2019
A 75.61-carat emerald worn more than 220 years ago by Russian Empress Catherine the Great will be hitting the auction block at Christie's Geneva a week from Wednesday. The spectacular verdant gem, which was daringly smuggled to England by a James Bond-like character during the Russian Revolution, carries a pre-sale estimate of $2.3 million to... The post 75.61-Carat Emerald Once Worn by Catherine the Great Is Up for Sale at Christie’s appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Unlike Europeans, US Couples Seek Parents’ Blessing Prior to Marriage Proposal: Survey

by Howard Cohen on May 06 2019
Unlike their European counterparts, the vast majority of US couples still ask for their parents' blessing prior to the marriage proposal, according to a 14-country wedding survey conducted by The Knot, WeddingWire and Bodas.net. The first-ever Global Wedding Report — which is based on the experiences of 20,000 couples — sought to discover the cultural... The post Unlike Europeans, US Couples Seek Parents’ Blessing Prior to Marriage Proposal: Survey appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Music Friday: ‘You’re a Diamond to Me,’ Sings Eric Bibb in the Inspirational ‘Shine On’

by Howard Cohen on May 03 2019
Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you tunes with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, international blues troubadour Eric Bibb inspires us to keep our eyes on the mountaintop in the uplifting 2006 song, “Shine On.” The two-time Grammy nominee knows that we can do better, reach higher and... The post Music Friday: ‘You’re a Diamond to Me,’ Sings Eric Bibb in the Inspirational ‘Shine On’ appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Gum Tree Leaves Can Signal Gold in the Soil Below, Reports South Australian Miner

by Howard Cohen on May 02 2019
Leaves from the majestic gum tree are helping miners pinpoint high-yield gold deposits in South Australia. Marmota Energy is singing the praises of its innovative biogeochemical tree sampling program that analyzes the leaves for trace amounts of pure gold and "pathfinder" elements. The miner explained that the roots of gum trees have the ability to... The post Gum Tree Leaves Can Signal Gold in the Soil Below, Reports South Australian Miner appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Birthstone Feature: ‘Maximilian Emerald’ Boasts a Rich History That Spans 150+ Years

by Howard Cohen on May 01 2019
Steeped in a rich history that spans more than 150 years, the 21.04-carat “Maximilian Emerald” is one of the world’s most famous — and dazzling — examples of May’s official birthstone. Named for its first owner, the ill-fated Emperor of Mexico, the deep grass-green Colombian emerald was purchased by American socialite Marjorie Merriweather Post in... The post Birthstone Feature: ‘Maximilian Emerald’ Boasts a Rich History That Spans 150+ Years appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Jewelry Expected to Be the Fastest-Growing Mother’s Day Gift Category in 2019

by Howard Cohen on Apr 30 2019
Mother's Day spending for jewelry items is expected to reach $5.2 billion in 2019, making it the fastest-growing and highest-volume gift-giving category, according to an annual survey released by the National Retail Federation (NRF). The jewelry spending number is up from $4.6 billion in 2018, an increase of 13%. Overall Mother's Day spending in 2019... The post Jewelry Expected to Be the Fastest-Growing Mother’s Day Gift Category in 2019 appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Lucara Recovers 1,758-Carat Diamond at Karowe Mine; It’s the Second-Largest Ever

by Howard Cohen on Apr 29 2019
Lucara Diamond Corp. has unearthed a tennis-ball-size 1,758-carat diamond at its famous Karowe Mine in Botswana. The diamond rates as the second-largest ever found, easily overtaking the 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona, which was also recovered at Karowe. But, unlike the gem-quality Lesedi La Rona, which was purchased by diamantaire Laurence Graff for $53 million and... The post Lucara Recovers 1,758-Carat Diamond at Karowe Mine; It’s the Second-Largest Ever appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Music Friday: ‘Daddy’s Little Girl’ Is a Precious Gem, Sings Michael Bolton

by Howard Cohen on Apr 26 2019
There are few things in life more sentimental than the father/daughter dance at a wedding, and one of the top tunes for that time-honored tradition is the subject of today’s Music Friday treat. Welcome to our weekly review of songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. In Michael Bolton’s sweet 2003... The post Music Friday: ‘Daddy’s Little Girl’ Is a Precious Gem, Sings Michael Bolton appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Super Bowl LI Ring of Mystery Patriot Player Is Up for Grabs at Heritage Auctions

by Howard Cohen on Apr 25 2019
As we breathlessly await the mid-June reveal of the New England Patriots' Super Bowl LIII ring — a ring that promises to be the biggest and blingiest championship ring ever designed — we just learned that a super-rare Patriots Super Bowl LI ring is up for grabs at Heritage Auctions. What makes this auction so... The post Super Bowl LI Ring of Mystery Patriot Player Is Up for Grabs at Heritage Auctions appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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At Topaz Mountain in Utah, Amateur Prospectors Get to Keep What They Find

by Howard Cohen on Apr 24 2019
Gem lovers looking for a rustic adventure a little off the beaten path may consider a trip to Topaz Mountain in Utah, where amateur prospectors get to keep whatever they find. Located about 120 miles southwest of Provo, the Topaz Dome Quarry in Utah's Thomas Range has long been a popular destination for hardcore rockhounds. But,... The post At Topaz Mountain in Utah, Amateur Prospectors Get to Keep What They Find appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Meghan Markle Was Thisclose to Getting Princess Diana’s Sapphire Engagement Ring

by Howard Cohen on Apr 23 2019
Back in October 2010, Prince William famously proposed to Kate Middleton with the distinctive sapphire-and-diamond engagement ring once worn by his late mother, Princess Diana. At the time, the prince said that popping the question with that ring was “my way of making sure my mother didn’t miss out on today and the excitement." Only... The post Meghan Markle Was Thisclose to Getting Princess Diana’s Sapphire Engagement Ring appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Botswana’s 20.46-Carat ‘Okavango Blue’ Diamond Is Called a ‘Once-in-a-Lifetime Find’

by Howard Cohen on Apr 22 2019
The largest blue diamond ever discovered in Botswana — a brilliant 20.46-carat oval gem with Fancy Deep Blue color and VVS2 clarity — was unveiled last week by the state-run Okavango Diamond Company. “It is incredibly unusual for a stone of this color and nature to have come from Botswana. [It’s] a once-in-a-lifetime find,” said... The post Botswana’s 20.46-Carat ‘Okavango Blue’ Diamond Is Called a ‘Once-in-a-Lifetime Find’ appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Music Friday Flashback: Silver Locket ‘Bears the Name of the Man That Brandy Loved’

by Howard Cohen on Apr 19 2019
Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you throwback songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, Elliot Lurie and the Looking Glass perform their 1972 chart-topper, “Brandy,” a song about a barmaid in a harbor town who wears a very sentimental piece of neckwear as a constant reminder of... The post Music Friday Flashback: Silver Locket ‘Bears the Name of the Man That Brandy Loved’ appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Style Icon Kendall Jenner Tells Elle.com, ‘The Man Should Pick the Engagement Ring’

by Howard Cohen on Apr 18 2019
Style icon, cover girl, runway model and reality star Kendall Jenner dished to Elle.com on Tuesday that when it comes to picking an engagement ring, she'd rather be surprised by her boyfriend than make the selection herself. She did add, however, that she'd likely drop him a bunch of hints along the way so he... The post Style Icon Kendall Jenner Tells Elle.com, ‘The Man Should Pick the Engagement Ring’ appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Legendary ‘Jonker V’ Diamond Returns to Christie’s Auction Block After Just Two Years

by Howard Cohen on Apr 17 2019
When the legendary "Jonker V" diamond appeared at Christie's Hong Kong in May of 2017 with a pre-sale estimate of $2.2 million to $3.6 million, some gem experts expected the stunning 25.27-carat emerald-cut gem to yield much more — and they were right. Surpassing the high estimate by nearly 50%, the Jonker V was purchased... The post Legendary ‘Jonker V’ Diamond Returns to Christie’s Auction Block After Just Two Years appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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GPS Artist ‘Yassan’ Is Back in the Spotlight as Google Revisits His Epic Proposal

by Howard Cohen on Apr 16 2019
Yasushi “Yassan” Takahashi, the GPS artist who famously zigzagged 4,500 miles across Japan in 2010 to spell out a marriage proposal for his girlfriend, is back in the news — thanks to Google. When the Tokyo resident completed his six-month journey from the island of Hokkaido to the shores of Kagoshima, he uploaded his route... The post GPS Artist ‘Yassan’ Is Back in the Spotlight as Google Revisits His Epic Proposal appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Principal Diamond Cut From 1,109-Carat Lesedi La Rona Tips the Scales at 302.37 Carats

by Howard Cohen on Apr 15 2019
Back in November, luxury jeweler Laurence Graff revealed that the massive 1,109-carat rough diamond named Lesedi La Rona had yielded 67 "satellite" diamonds ranging in size from just under 1 carat to more than 100 carats and teased that "a principal diamond of unprecedented size" was still in the works. Last week, Graff finally unveiled... The post Principal Diamond Cut From 1,109-Carat Lesedi La Rona Tips the Scales at 302.37 Carats appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.